'Chance of a lifetime' Two area youths named 'Coin Toss Kids' for Colts game

November 06, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS Before the game they stood next to the field and watched the players from the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers warm up. Then, better yet, they went to midfield to take part in the pre-game coin toss, shaking hands with quarterback Peyton Manning and the other team captains. Finally, they took their seats at Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the Colts beat the 49ers and stay unbeaten. That was how last Sunday went for A.J. Yeh and Sorin Horvath, area residents who have been patients at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. The hospital and Colts bestowed "Coin Toss Kids" honors on them. A.J. and Sorin received autographed Colts photos and Colts jerseys. The opportunity resulted from a partnership between Riley Children's Foundation and the Indianapolis Colts. During each Colts home game, Riley Children's Foundation provides the honor to two Riley children. A.J., the son of David and Daisy Yeh, is a junior at Saint Joseph High School. Last May, the 16-year-old developed a toxic, life-threatening reaction to a medication he had been taking for a minor nerve disorder. A.J. was diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a rare skin disorder that causes symptoms similar to what burn victims experience. He was immediately taken to Riley Hospital for lifesaving treatments. He is out of immediate danger but full recovery will take about a year, according to his father. It so happens A.J. is an avid fan of the Colts. He also enjoys playing the piano, saxophone, guitar and video games. He holds a first- degree black belt in karate. "Being a Coin Toss Kid is a chance of a lifetime that I will always treasure!" said A.J. in a news release. Sorin Horvath is a fifth-grader at Saint Joseph Grade School in South Bend and the son of Nancy and Eric Horvath. He has been a patient at Riley Hospital since Dec. 26, 2007, the day he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Sorin's parents were initially unsure of what the diagnosis meant for their son's future, but he's received regular treatment from the Riley Hospital clinic in South Bend. Sorin gives back by walking on a team for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), which supports research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Eric Horvath said his son is a "a huge sports nut. Ever since he was able to read, he's read the sports page of the newspaper." And for his fifth birthday, he asked for ESPN. He also likes the Chicago Bears, and can draw inspiration from their quarterback, Jay Cutler, who also has type 1 diabetes.